A historic night: The first presidential debate of 2008
Scroll down for updates and liveblogging…Obama hammers Bush-McCain theme, McCain emphasizes — sigh — fighting against “climate change…with Sen. Clinton”…McCain hits his stride on the war, foreign policy, Obama’s no-preconditions bungle…Gaffe of the debate so far: Obama trying to respond to McCain on his military/moral authority: “I’ve got a bracelet, too!”
What a week, huh? The high-stakes presidential debate at Ole Miss starts at 9pm Eastern. Hang out here and share your thoughts. I’ll liveblog for as long as my stomach can take it.
Expectations: Low.
Ole Miss has a debate site here.
The moderator will be PBS anchor Jim Lehrer. The debate format:
– Each debate will have a single moderator and last for 90 minutes…
– During the first and third presidential debates, and the vice presidential debate, the time will be divided into eight, ten-minute segments. The moderator will introduce each segment with an issue on which each candidate will comment, after which the moderator will facilitate further discussion of the issue, including direct exchange between the candidates for the balance of that segment…
– Time at the end of the final presidential debate will be reserved for closing statements.
***
A reader proposes the first drinking game suggestion:
Michelle, how about a college-style drinking game tonight – where everyone takes a drink whenever Obama says “Bush” – in his laughably ridiculous ongoing effort to link McCain to Bush.
If you’re looking to get inebriated quickly, start drinking every time Obama says “Uh.”
Or every time McCain touts bipartisanship.
***
9:08pm Eastern.
First question on the need for solvency and security: Where do you stand on the economic recovery plan?
Obama: He’s reciting his bailout talking points…Oversight, returns to taxpayers, no CEO golden parachutes, help homeowners. Failed economic policies by George Bush supported by McCain.
McCain-Bush! Take your first swig, people.
McCain: Mentions Ted Kennedy being hospitalized. I’m not feeling too great about things tonight, but tonight I’m feeling a little better…touts bipartisan efforts to forge a bailout deal…Republicans and Democrats sitting down and negotiating.
Bipartisanship! Take another swig, people.
More McCain: This is the end of the beginning of the crisis. We’ve got a lot of work to do. Eliminate dependence on foreign oil.
Lehrer: Do you favor the plan, Sen. Obama?
Obama: We haven’t seen the language yet. There is constructive work being done there.
The question is how did we get here? Obama takes credit for warning about the problem.
McCain: Reminds that he warned about it, too. Says he will vote for the bailout. I’ve been heavily criticized for calling for the resignation of the SEC chairman.
He’s going on an anti-greed screed.
Obama: Attacking McCain for claiming the fundamentals of the economy are sound. Lehrer tries to get them to talk to each other directly. They won’t.
I agree with a commenter below. Obama is wearing too much make-up.
9:19pm Eastern.
Still on the economy.
McCain: We need to control spending. He’s talking about earmarks as a gateway drug. Refers to his friend Tom Coburn (also cited as a friend of Barack Obama). Obama has asked for $932 million in earmarks. Points viewers to Citizens Against Government Waste for documentation. That’s one of the fundamental differences between Obama and me.
Obama: Earmarks account for $18 billion in the budget. McCain wants $300 billion in tax cuts to wealthiest corporations and individuals.
McCain-Bush, McCain-Bush!
Bottoms up. Take another gulp.
McCain goes after Obama for $800 billion he supports in new spending. Obama says he’ll close corporate loopholes. Expand health care.
9:25pm Eastern. McCain is defending his business tax proposals. He really should challenge Obama on the Bush talking point.
Side note: Obama’s got a shiny flag lapel pin.
9:34pm Eastern. Sorry, tuned out for a moment there while Obama was burbling about building broadband lines.
McCain turns to defense spending. He’s recounting all his pork barrel fights.
I wonder if this debate will ever get to the stated focus: Foreign policy.
9:36pm Eastern. Another “Bush’s failed policies” line from Obama. What’s that now? 10?
Lehrer keeps hectoring the candidates to answer his question about how the financial crisis would change how they govern.
McCain says he’d call for a spending freeze on everything except defense and entitlements.
Obama’s babbling about something or other.
McCain goes after Obama on nuclear power, dependence on foreign oil…and CLIMATE CHANGE, “an issue I’ve been involved in for many years along with Sen. Clinton.”
Gag.
9:42pm Eastern. McCain is repeating his lines about cutting spending. Okay, I think he’s got his message across on that.
Obama: Bush-McCain! Bush-McCain!
McCain: Repeats his “I was not elected Miss Congeniality…I’m a maverick and so’s my running mate.”
Lehrer moves to the war. What are the lessons of Iraq?
McCain talks strategy, surge, praises Petraeus, we will come home in victory.
Obama pats himself on the back for opposing the Iraqi invasion, rattles off body count, claims al Qaeda is resurgent, complains about military spending.
9:48pm Eastern. McCain does well, finally, in attacking Obama on his surge flip-flops and not visiting the battlefront.
Obama’s answer: “I’m proud of my vice presidential pick.”
Joe Biden: Obama’s human shield!
McCain says “Obama doesn’t know the difference between a tactic and a strategy.” McCain recounts his visit to Baghdad two Fourth of Julys ago and how troops told him, “Let us win.” McCain gives a counterinsurgency 101 lesson. McCain points out Obama voted to cut off funds for the troops.
Very good fusillade from McCain.
Obama getting antsy.
McCain engages Obama on setting specific dates for withdrawal.
9:55pm Eastern. Lehrer turns to Afghanistan. Do we need more troops?
Obama: “Yes. I’ve said that for over a year now.”
9:58pm Eastern. McCain is “not prepared to threaten Pakistan as Obama said he would do…You don’t say that out loud…I’ve been to Waziristan…need a strategy…”
Sidenote: Email from reader Rich…
MM,
Overall so far…McCain is not quick enough on the uptake. Obama is more focused and clearly more prepared with the details and populist counter-arguments. McCain needs to respond quickly from two perspectives….1) What he would do moving forward, and 2) What he has done over the last 25+ years, esp bipartisan efforts.
Q1: Why did McCain say he has “spoken out” about Fannie and Freddie instead of talking about his introduction of legislation in 2003 to provide further regulation/oversight of F & F.
Q2: Obama immed answers a question of what he plans to cut during this financial crisis with a laundry list of his proposals for new spending programs. McCain misses an easy opening to say just that…”Obama was asked what he would cut and answered how he would spend”.
More later..
Rich
USMC (Retired)
Obama comes back at McCain for singing “Bomb, bomb, Iran.”
McCain returns fire with his record on Lebanon, Somalia, Kosovo. “I have a record of being involved in these national security issues which involve the highest responsibilities you can have…”
McCain recounts his Matthew Stanley bracelet story. Talks about troops, families, refusing to come back with defeat and dishonor.
Obama: I’ve got a bracelet, too!
He has to look at it…uhhh…to remember whose bracelet it is.
10:06pm Eastern. Obama attacks McCain on Afghanistan. McCain responds: “You would think if he were so concerned, he would have gone to Afghanistan.”
McCain wants a “League of Democracies.”
10:14pm Eastern. McCain takes a dig at Obama’s presidential seal…”I don’t have a seal yet”…
should have probably explained the joke a little…
10:15pm Eastern. McCain attacks Obama’s pledge to meet tyrants without preconditions.
Obama blusters on his preconditions/preparations line.
10:18pm Eastern. McCain is strong on North Korea.
Obama cites Kissinger.
McCain comes back: He’s known Kissinger for 30 years. Obama is parsing words.
10:26pm Eastern. McCain sounds forceful on Russia/Georgia. Obama follows up meekly.
10:30pm Eastern. Last question. What’s the likelihood of another 9/11?
McCain: Less than it once was. Recounts teaming up with Joe Lieberman on formation of a 9/11 investigation commission…Bush opposed us…we reached across the aisle…long way to go on intelligence services…trained interrogators so we don’t ever torutre another prisoner ever again…America is safer today than it was on 9/11, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a long way to go…he really should tie the war on terror overseas — not just in Iraq, but worldwide — to homeland security…and what about border security…
Stop. Oh, my god, he just mentioned doing a better job on our borders.
Knock me over with a feather.
Obama: He’s talking missile defense. al Qaeda in 60 countries.
McCain should have covered that.
10:34pm Eastern. Obama credits McCain on the torture issue and then gives us his Big Idea for making America safer? “Restoring our standing in the world!” Making us more “respected!”
McCain: Obama doesn’t get it. If we fail in Iraq…it would lead to defeat…Americans will judge…right path or wrong path…this is the central issue of our time.
10:40pm Eastern. Wrapping up.
McCain: “I don’t need any on-the-job training. I’m ready to lead now.”
Obama is talking about his name. Filibustering about “investing,” “The Children,” etc.
McCain gets the last word: “I know how to heal the wounds of the war, I know how to deal.”
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Not just Naive – Dangerous, yes the world isn’t a big welcoming Marsh mellow, no matter what your mom told you. It is harsh.
Oh yes he did. Loser. He did talk about no preconditions.
McCain’s voice is the one you use when talking to a child.
Wow. Bald faced lie.
Good dig on the seal. Big thumbs up for McCain.
Doesn’t have a seal or coins with his face on them.
Does that mean he has to leave the teleprompter and talking points at home?
#840 said:
‘George Clooney’s Finishing School for Little Men’ appears to have paid off.
Is Obama wearing frosted eye shadow?
Nope… Fox News Channel. Can’t stand the bleating on the other networks.
Uhoh…Obummer just used Senator McCain’s title…. he means business now.
OMG I saw the coin story, these people are nuts
The Bush Administration again? John McCain has not been elected he isn’t Bush this is so awkward how he is trying to insert Bush.
Obama’s characterization of his “no preconditions” statement is a straight-up lie.
ha ha I love it
luh luh luh luh
what a maroon.
He has spewed his nonsense you idiot!
BAHAAHAHAHAHAHA
Get him John!
McCain is rippin’ him a new one now!
Hahahahahha
John just stomped O. haha!
First laugh of the night for McCain…LOL
BO is flustered … stuttering openly …
mumble…petulant…mumble…mumble…
WOW!!
Rubbing Kissinger in his face…There’s the “I knew Jack Kennedy, You’re no Jack Kennedy” line for McCain.
“Øbama doesn’t seem to understand…” LOLOLOL!
Øbama seems to think that the Bush administration is following his lead.
BIG FORCED SMILE by Øbama!! He is PISSED that he is getting whupped!
there it is my friends
we say ‘No you’re not???’
hahahahaha
GO MAV GO
The messiah keeps butting in,,OMG someone slap him
Waiting for BO to take a shot at Palin here
Obama’s interruptions are extremely disrespectful, but he’ll not be called on them.
that line awww please was good
but how is Obama going to talk to leaders when he constantly stutters uh uh I I
sheesh
Obama sure is having to “clarify” his statements alot. He has stayed on defense the majority of this debate.
Obama know we all can google Henry Kissinger and his quotes right?
Yaaaaaay!
Russia is more than a regional nuscience. They have ICBMs odopy.
Obama’s sweatin’ like Nixon now!!!
bwa ha ha
Obama is reciting talking points about Russia.
What about the Slovaks?
Explain to the Russians? HA HA HA
BO wants to be the only dictator in his world citizenry
Did you guys hear the seal comment? Loved it.
Ooooohhhhh! Barry don’t like getting cornered on his own statements…looks like Mav has hit a nerve or three…
They should put blood pressure monitors on these guys….I would love to see what Barry O’s is.
2 minutes is UP.
Yeah Barry would tell Russia what’s what! I guess Putin would have no choice but to listen to The One.
at least he quit looking the camera. that was annoying.
Does Obama think he’s running against Bush?
Obama is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO weak.
Loose Nukes! Loose Nukes! Loose Nukes!
“Somewhere I’ve led in the Senate” about loose nuclear weapons..
SHOW ME WHERE YOU HAVE LEAD ONCE OBAMA!
Show me.
I’m waiting for the 0′s tuff question…”how many states are in the U.S. of A. today?”
Forget Google. I’m sure Dr. Kissinger will go on the record again very soon on what he said and what he meant.
He’s even condescending to the Russians.
They just don’t understand the U.S.’s priorities.
Now Obummer is claiming credit for that stupid non-proliferation bill that has no serious power over the Russions.
C’mon….
Naivete yeah yeah yeah
He doesn’t understand!!! Again!!
It’s funny ’cause it’s true
Barry has answered every question with “I don’t know”. He says “We have to look at…”, “We need to study..”, etc, but all he’s saying is IDK.
Russia can wipe out the US,Barry. Have a little respect.
patchthebun
could you pass along your email again. Sorry. I got lost in the posts.
He just called Obozo naive!!!!! Yipee!!!!
Obama must think he’s running against Bush. He keeps mentioning it all the time.
3 positions on Georgia. HAHAHA
I saw a K a G and a B.
Funny.
Obama is debating Bush.
The problem is, Bush isn’t on the stage.
Oh no! He said “my friend”!!!!!
McCain sees K-G-B…great line
BHO is totally out of his element
KGB
Obama doesn’t understand that Russia Attacked Georgia. No he thinks, Georgia must have been asking for it
I would bet that Kissinger will be on FNC somewhere tomorrow about having his comments misrepresented …
That’s what his “strategists” told him to do. Puppet man.
Russians? Yeah, no problem here…
anyone drunk yet?
Hey now, BO went right down to Atlanta to check things out.
McCain has said that before. That’s why Obama’s George Bush quote was so ignorant and non-sequeter (sp).
BO is so loved around the world, let him go be king of one of those countries.
That way, we won’t have him ruining our country.
Actually quite chilling : (
Yeah, Obummer, Russia will listen to us about nuclear weapons as they’re carrying out their threat to put them on the border with Eukraine when we put the missile system there.
McCain bringing up energy, pipeline in the region…”I have spent a great amount of time in the region..”
Yes! McCain keeps taking Obummer to the woodshed.
Obummer has no depth, can’t get past the predetermined talking points.
McCain is on a tear.
adam and hayley at gmail
Libs usually blame the victim.
gayle, I need handlebars on my laptop…
Now McCain is just flat out kicking Obamma’s butt. Wonder how the MSM will spin this one?
McCain keeps stressing I’ve been there.
Keep it up.
I miss Dr. Kissinger…Brilliant man…and the Doctor Strangelove accent. So classy
I never understood why Bush put Putin on the back burner I figured they had some truce. Of course Putin wasn’t going to keep it.
Excellent point. Obama left himself wide open on that one.
Just be glad he’s on our side.
McCain is in the midst of a Russian history lesson for Obama.
I think if you click on my name, it link to my blog too, Navywife. You can always comment there and I’ll email you the info.
Anyone count how many times Sen. Obama referred to Sen. McCain as John? I don’t think I’ve heard the word Barack escape Sen. McCain’s lips. Simple courtesy on McCain’s part, simply rude on Sen. Obama’s part.
McCain keeps hitting Øbambi over the head with experience examples!
McCain’s working knowledge of foreign affairs is impressive! Øbambi would be a disaster, the “paper tiger” OBL used to talk about.
He ought to remind them that the Georgians cheered McCain, not Øbama.
Obama is sinking, good times.
Senator McCain and I agree on these issues….
Obama keeps riding McCain’s coat tails.
WHAT A LOSER.
McCain shows a great understanding of Russian issues. Oh, now Obama agrees!
I think…uhhh…Senator McCain and I…uhhh…agree on most of these issues….uhhh….
Wow. He’s really stuttering now.
And he’s twisting on his first Georgia story.
thanks!
McCain is definitely showing his knowledge of the situation in Georgia. Obama is left only with “I agree” and a bunch of verbiage that says… he wants a bailout for Georgia, too?
Obozo is now lying about what he initially said after Russia invaded Georgia. Good Lord, hasn’t he ever heard of Google??
We are not going to have to worry about who wins this election because after two more debates like this Barry will have a stroke.
MM 977 comments Hotair 957 comments